Austrian health experts debunk sunscreen and seed‑oil skin‑cancer myths

Social‑media posts in early June claimed that over‑the‑counter sunscreen penetrates the bloodstream after a single use, blocks vitamin D absorption and weakens the body’s defence against viruses, bacteria and cancer cells. Austrian health officials refuted the claim, emphasizing that scientific consensus holds sunscreen reduces sunburn and the risk of skin cancer.

Separate research discussed the relationship between dietary seed oils and skin‑cancer risk. A Mendelian‑randomisation study found that genetically higher omega‑6 fatty‑acid levels were linked to lower basal‑cell and squamous‑cell carcinoma risk, while higher omega‑3 levels were associated with increased risk. In contrast, animal‑feeding studies showed that diets rich in industrial seed oils (omega‑6) accelerated tumour formation, whereas omega‑3‑rich diets reduced UV‑induced tumours. The authors noted that “the risk effect on SCC was attenuated upon exclusion of rs174528, a variant in the fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1) gene,” highlighting genetic versus dietary influences on skin‑cancer development.